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Camcorder vs DSLR for video

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Isaac.
Posts: 86 - Karma: 810
Looking to get started in video for the ski season. Looking at a Canon vixia g20 (or possibly something else. Open to suggestions) or a t3i right now. Anyone have a preference or any input on the limits/capabilities? It'll be used solely for video as I have DSLRs for photography. I do have some video experience, but it's minimal. I also have a canon lens lineup, so I'm not looking to get another DSLR brand
Nov 8 2016 8:35AM
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akt416
Posts: 246 - Karma: 568
what DSLR do you already have? if you have a camera and a solid lense setup i dont see why youre even looking to buy something else. Bottom line though, especially if youre someone with a DSLR background, I would go with the t3i. way more control and you have the freedom of different lenses (which already having is a huge bonus). most video settings follow a very similar trend to shooting manual on a DSLR so it wont take you long to figure it out at all. I had this same debate before i got my t3i (and i had NO photo or video experience) and looking back im so glad i didnt get the camcorder
Nov 8 2016 9:10AM
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Isaac.
Posts: 86 - Karma: 810
akt416what DSLR do you already have? if you have a camera and a solid lense setup i dont see why youre even looking to buy something else. Bottom line though, especially if youre someone with a DSLR background, I would go with the t3i. way more control and you have the freedom of different lenses (which already having is a huge bonus). most video settings follow a very similar trend to shooting manual on a DSLR so it wont take you long to figure it out at all. I had this same debate before i got my t3i (and i had NO photo or video experience) and looking back im so glad i didnt get the camcorder


I've got a 5d classic and a 1dMkIIn, neither of which shoot video. Thanks for the input though. Sounds like a t3i would be a good fit
Nov 8 2016 9:23AM
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akt416
Posts: 246 - Karma: 568
ohh okay didnt realize that. but yeah its a no brainer i would definately go with the t3i then. Only thing that was stopping me was the fact that i had to buy lenses but you already have those, and even still im so glad i went with the t3i instead of the camcorder. do yourself a favour and put a little bit of money that you would save on the lenses into a stabalizer of some kind and youre gonna have a great setup
Nov 8 2016 9:43AM
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jordanj801
Posts: 96 - Karma: 112
If you have an average dslr thats somewhat decent at pics but bad for video, id reccomed just upgrading it to one with great photo and video instead of buying a camcorder. Youll bascially just get more for your money.
Nov 8 2016 9:44AM
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Isaac.
Posts: 86 - Karma: 810
akt416ohh okay didnt realize that. but yeah its a no brainer i would definately go with the t3i then. Only thing that was stopping me was the fact that i had to buy lenses but you already have those, and even still im so glad i went with the t3i instead of the camcorder. do yourself a favour and put a little bit of money that you would save on the lenses into a stabalizer of some kind and youre gonna have a great setup


Ok sweet thanks! What about autofocus on the t3i? Everything I've read about camcorders makes the autofocus seem far superior to a DSLR
Nov 8 2016 9:44AM
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akt416
Posts: 246 - Karma: 568
camcorder is going to have better continuous autofocus but if you know what you're doing with the DSLR it is much more reliable. Set the focus before a run and leave it. Camcorders will sometimes have trouble deciding what to focus on, and this can lead to it pulling waaayyy out of focus in the middle of a shot, which obviously ruins the clip.
Nov 8 2016 9:53AM
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Isaac.
Posts: 86 - Karma: 810
akt416camcorder is going to have better continuous autofocus but if you know what you're doing with the DSLR it is much more reliable. Set the focus before a run and leave it. Camcorders will sometimes have trouble deciding what to focus on, and this can lead to it pulling waaayyy out of focus in the middle of a shot, which obviously ruins the clip.


Ah gotcha. Thanks dude
Nov 8 2016 10:03AM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
When you're filming follows, you'll be shooting wide and ideally around and 8-11 split and your focus will be deep enough where AF is irrelevant. if you go to a longer lens on a tripod just prefocus. Take advantage of your glass and go for the t3i if not a 60d for added durability.
Nov 9 2016 6:07PM
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Isaac.
Posts: 86 - Karma: 810
ForcilloWhen you're filming follows, you'll be shooting wide and ideally around and 8-11 split and your focus will be deep enough where AF is irrelevant. if you go to a longer lens on a tripod just prefocus. Take advantage of your glass and go for the t3i if not a 60d for added durability.


Ok cool. How wide do follows tend to be?
Nov 9 2016 7:00PM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
Isaac.Ok cool. How wide do follows tend to be?


A lot of people shoot on the Tokina 11-16 2.8 and Canon 17-40 4
Nov 10 2016 5:54AM
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